Coaxial Ventilator

ABSTRACT

A coaxial ventilator exchanges atmosphere between parts of a building that are at differing heights. The coaxial ventilator includes an outer conduit that extends from an upper end thereof downward to a lower end thereof. The outer conduit surrounds an inner conduit that extends substantially the entire length of the outer conduit. Both the outer and inner conduits are open at their respective upper ends and lower ends. Temperatures of atmosphere both surrounding and within the outer conduit and the inner conduit induce an exchange of atmosphere between the coaxial ventilator and surrounding atmosphere.

CROSS REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority benefit to each of the applicationslisted in this cross-reference section. This application is acontinuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/798,462, entitled “Coaxial Ventilator,” filed on Jul. 14, 2015,which is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/391,387, entitled “Coaxial Ventilator,” filed onOct. 8, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §371 from PatentCooperation Treaty (“PCT”) International Patent ApplicationPCT/US2014/033101, entitled “Coaxial Ventilator,” filed with the USPatent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) on Apr. 4, 2014, claiming thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/809,292,entitled “Coaxial Ventilator,” that was filed with the USPTO on Apr. 5,2013; and also the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/991,436, entitled “Coaxial Ventilator,” that was filed with theUSPTO on May 9, 2014. The entire disclosure of these prior applicationsare expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to building ventilation and,more particularly, to a ventilation system that exploits a temperaturedifference between a building's interior and the surrounding atmosphere.

Background Art

Using gravity for moving heating, circulating and ventilating air is asimple technique that has been a well understood and practiced for morethan 100 years. Hot air is less dense than cold air and will thereforetend to rise while cooler air tends to settle. However, the forceproduced in this way is very slight, and is easily overcome by frictionin ducts and by wind pressure around a building. A gravity ventilationsystem is simpler than a forced air system, requires no skilledattention, and is less expensive to install. Widespread use of gravityheating air and water systems ended mainly because such systems:

-   -   1. were difficult to install requiring large ducts and many        penetrations through floor slabs etc.; and    -   2. their installation required experienced engineers who could        assess a building's suitability for a gravity heating systems.

Historically, the advantages of gravity heating and circulation made itparticularly advantageous for houses, small school buildings, churches,hails, etc., where a heat source may be placed near the bases of a warmair duct and where air flow resistance is low. However, unseparated airducts in a gravity ventilation system often become inefficient due tostagnation if the duct's wall becomes exposed to cooler surrounding oradjacent air that induces downdrafts within the duct which collide withrising warmer air. Gravity air ducts that allow air to circulatesimultaneously in opposite directions require very large cross-sectionslike an air well in multistory buildings. Also, it has been thought thatusing gravity for ventilation is more expensive than a fan because theamount of thermal energy required to produce a significant draft or airvelocity through a duct greatly exceeds the electrical energy requiredto power a fan. Gravity air circulation may exhibit difficulty in movinghot air into certain rooms in a building during windy weather.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides an improved ventilation duct.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravity ventilationduct that is smaller than conventional gravity ventilation ducts.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravityventilation duct that does not require a separate return duct.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravityventilation duct that is easier to position within, a building andeasier to install.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravityventilation duct that requires only a single penetration through abuilding's floor/ceiling.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravityventilation duct that avoids air flow stagnation.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravityventilation duet that circulates air efficiently over longer lengths.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a gravityventilation duct that is smaller and that uses duct cross-sectional areaefficiently.

While the improved gravity ventilation duct is disclosed in the contextof being installed in a building, the coaxial ventilator is also usefulfor ventilating tunnels, underground shelters, mineshafts, and the like.

Another object of the present disclosure is using passive evaporativecooling both throughout the day and especially at night.

Another object of the present disclosure is providing an improvedthermal storage of nighttime “coolness” with enlarged heat and/or coolstorage capacity.

Another object of the present disclosure is increasing the coolingcapability of the coaxial ventilator without substantially increasingthe physical fluid capacity.

Another object of the present disclosure is providing a passive, smallsized, unobtrusive cooling or heating ventilator where the cooling orheating apparatus does not intrude into the space to be cooled orheated.

Another object of the present disclosure is collecting rainwater for usein evaporative cooling.

An advantage of the present disclosure is that in one exemplaryembodiment, the disclosed system/method allows drawing via a drain tapcollected rainwater as a backup for supplementary or emergency domesticwater supply.

Another advantage of the present disclosure is that in one exemplaryembodiment where the water pan is filled from the Municipal Water Mainsthru a Float Valve (not illustrated in any of the figures), the presentdisclosure essentially combines the functions of a domestic waterreservoir tank and a building cooler into one compact cost efficientdevice.

The disclosed coaxial ventilator is adapted for inclusion in a buildingfor exchanging atmosphere between parts of the building at differingheights. The coaxial ventilator includes an outer conduit adapted forbeing juxtaposed with at least a portion the building selected from agroup consisting of:

-   -   1. a roof;    -   2. a floor; and    -   3. a wall.        The outer conduit has a length that extends from an upper end        thereof downward to a lower end thereof.

The coaxial ventilator also includes an inner conduit that is surroundedby the outer conduit, and extends substantially along the entire lengthof the outer conduit. Accordingly, an upper end and a lower end of theinner conduit are located near the upper end and lower end of the outerconduit.

Both the outer conduit and the inner conduit are open at the respectiveupper ends and lower ends thereof. Responsive to temperatures ofatmosphere both surrounding and within the outer conduit and the innerconduit simultaneously:

-   -   1. atmosphere about the upper end of the outer conduit enters        into one (1) of two (2) conduits selected from a group        consisting of:        -   a. the outer conduit; and        -   b. the inner conduit; and    -   2. atmosphere within the coaxial ventilator exits into        atmosphere about the upper end of the outer conduit from one (1)        of two (2) conduits selected from a group consisting of:        -   a. the inner conduit; and        -   b. the outer conduit.

While the improved gravity ventilation duct is disclosed in the contextof being installed in a building, the coaxial ventilator is also usefulfor ventilating tunnels, underground shelters, mineshafts, and the like.

These and other features, objects and advantages will toe understood orapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in thevarious drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the disclosedinvention, reference is made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, elevational view depicting a buildinghaving a coaxial ventilator in accordance with the present disclosureincluded therein illustrating the ventilator's nighttime operation inwarm climate for transferring cooler air from outside a building into alower room within the building;

FIG. 2 depicts the building of FIG. 1 illustrating day time operation ofthe coaxial ventilator in warm climate;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the coaxial ventilator takenalong the line 3-3 respectively in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, elevational view depicting a building inwhich an alternative embodiment pair of coaxial ventilators inaccordance with the present disclosure ventilate two (2) different roomswithin the building during nighttime operation in warm climate;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of the twin coaxial ventilators ofFIG. 4 taken along the line 5-5 therein;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, elevational view depicting yet anotheralternative embodiment coaxial ventilator located in a multi-storybuilding in a cold climate for transferring warmer air from a heatedroom at the bottom of a building, e.g. a basement, to an upper roomwithin the building;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a lower end of thecoaxial ventilator illustrated in FIG. 1 depicting a preferred bellshaped flaring at the lower end of the ventilator's outer conduit;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the coaxial ventilatorin accordance with the present disclosure, such as the coaxialventilator depicted in FIG. 1, that includes a pair of turbines locatedrespectively near the top and bottom thereof;

FIG. 8A shows another aspect of the coaxial ventilator according to thepresent disclosure, further including an exhaust fan;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view depicting ingreater detail one of the turbines depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9depicting in greater detail the turbine depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional, elevational view of a portion of abuilding having a coaxial ventilator installed therein illustrating analternative embodiment coaxial ventilator which includes a coaxialliquid-filled thermosyphon cooling tube descending downward from acovered pan for collecting rain water that is located above thebuilding's roof at the top of the alternative embodiment coaxialventilator and within an inner conduit thereof along a central axis ofthereof;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional plan view of the thermosyphon cooling tubecoaxial ventilator taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the thermosyphon coolingtube coaxial ventilator depicted in FIG. 11 filled with water from acovered pan located at the top of the thermosyphon cooling tribe coaxialventilator;

FIG. 13A illustrates the coaxial ventilator depicted in FIG. 13 that hasan alternative embodiment water filled thermosyphon cooling tube thatincludes a bulb tank located at a lower end of the thermosyphon coolingtube;

FIG. 13B shows another aspect of the coaxial ventilator of FIG. 13,further including a solar-powered exhaust fan, an exhaust wind turbine,and hanging evaporative cooling mats;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of the coaxialventilator taken along the lines 12-12 and 14-14 respectively in FIGS.11 and 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the thermosyphon coolingtube coaxial ventilator illustrated in FIG. 13 depicting an alternativeembodiment thereof in which a tube surrounds the coaxial liquid filledcooling tube establishing an annularly-shaped space thereabout that isfilled with oil or other liquid that has a specific heat greater thanthat of water thereby increasing thermal storage capacity of thethermosyphon cooling tube coaxial ventilator;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of the coaxialventilator taken along the line 16-16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates an alternative configuration for the thermosyphoncooling tube coaxial ventilator depicted in FIG. 13 in which both thelower portion of the covered pan and the cooling tube are filled withoil rather than water with only the upper portion of the cover pan abovethe oil being filled with water;

FIG. 18 depicts a cross-sectional, elevational view of a portion of abuilding having a coaxial ventilator installed therein that illustratesanother alternative embodiment coaxial ventilator which includesmultiple liquid-filled cooling tubes each of which respectively descendsdownward from the covered pan into an annularly-shaped space locatedbetween the inner conduit and an outer conduit of the coaxialventilator;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional plan view of the thermosyphon multi coolingtube coaxial ventilator taken along the line 19-19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 adds to a copy of FIG. 2 a pair of optional, hollow collarflanges that encircle the coaxial ventilator respectively immediatelyabove the building's roof and also at a ceiling within the building;

FIG. 20A shows another aspect of the coaxial ventilator of FIG. 20,further including a thermoelectric cooling module; and

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional plan view of the upper hollow collar flangetaken along the line 21-21 in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a coaxial ventilator, identified by the generalreference number 20, included in the structure of a building 22. Thecoaxial ventilator 20 includes an uninsulated outer conduit 24 made of athermally conductive material that is juxtaposed with and, in theillustrations of FIGS. 1 and 2, passes through;

-   -   1. a roof 32;    -   2. a ceiling 34 of a warm upper story room 36; and    -   3. a floor 38 of the room 36.        The roof 32, the ceiling 34 and the floor 38 are ail respective        portions of the building 22. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the        outer conduit 24 of the coaxial ventilator 20 has a length that        extends from a flared upper end 42 located above the roof 32        downward to a lower end 44 that is located at a lower room 46 of        the building 22 beneath the room 36. In the illustrations of        FIGS. 1 and 2 the building 22 also includes:    -   1. an upper interior wall 52 a;    -   2. a lower interior wall 52 b;    -   3. a floor 54 for the room 46 for which the floor 38 of the        upper room 36 also provides a ceiling;    -   4. an upper exterior wall 56 a; and    -   5. a lower exterior wall 56 b.

The coaxial ventilator 20 also includes an inner conduit 62 made of athermally insulative material which may be flexible and/or corrugatedthat is:

-   -   1. surrounded by the outer conduit 24;    -   2. extends substantially along the entire length of the outer        conduit 24; and    -   3. is pierced by a plurality of holes 63 at locations 64 a, 64 b        and 64 c where transitions occur in temperature about the outer        conduit 24.        An upper end 66 of the inner conduit 62 is preferably located        slightly below the top of the flared upper end 42 of the outer        conduit 24. Preferably, a lower end 66 of the inner conduit 62        is similarly recessed slightly above the lower end 44 of the        outer conduit 24. Consequently, the inner conduit 62 has a        slightly shorter length than that of the outer conduit 24.

As depicted most clearly in FIG. 3, the presence of the inner conduit 62centered within the outer conduit 24 establishes an annularly-shapedspace 72 therebetween that extends along the length of the inner conduit62. Cross-sectional areas of the inner conduit 62 and theannularly-shaped space 72 should be approximately equal with thecross-sectional area of the annularly-shaped space 72 being slightlylarger to compensate for air friction with both the outer conduit 24 andthe inner conduit 62.

While FIG. 3 depicts the inner conduit 62 as being centered within theouter conduit 24, that is not an essential requirement for the coaxialventilator 20. The coaxial ventilator 20 works well if the inner conduit62 were to be displaced to one side within the outer conduit 24. Theinner conduit 62 may not foe centered within the outer conduit 24 if,for example, the inner conduit 62 were loosely fixed or not secured atthe very center of the outer conduit 24 perhaps to facilitatefabricating the coaxial ventilator 20 or adjustment of inner conduit 62etc., or if at some locations within the building 22 the coaxialventilator 20 is inclined, i.e. not vertical.

If the inner conduit 62 is insecurely positioned within the outerconduit 24 and the coaxial ventilator 20 is inclined, the inner conduit62 may sag or hang against a lower wall of the outer conduit 24. Undersuch a circumstance, inner conduit 62 may contact the outer conduit 24but because the inner conduit 62 is thermally insulated, i.e. does notconduct heat well, and contact area is small, little heat will betransferred, from the outer conduit 24 to the inner conduit 62 therebypreserving a temperature difference between the outer and inner conduits24, 62. Accordingly, the coaxial ventilator 20 works regardless ofwhether the inner conduit 62 is at the exact center of the outer conduit24 or displaced to one side thereof.

In fact, displacing the inner conduit 62 greatly to one side of theouter conduit 24 lowers airflow resistance between the outer and innerconduits 24, 62. Displacing the inner conduit 62 to one side of theouter conduit 24 forces most of the airflow between the outer and innerconduits 24, 62 into a more cohesive “fat” crescent cross-sectionalshape, with the major portion of the air flow occurring in the “fat”center of the crescent. If most of the air flow occurs in the “fat.”center of the crescent, the air flow sore nearly approximates that of anideal circular cross-sectional shape. Approaching more nearly to anideal circular cross-sectional air flow minimizes friction with theouter and inner conduits 24, 62 in comparison with the thinner, strictlyperfectly annular shape of airflow along the annularly-shaped space 72having the same cross-sectional area. To reduce friction due to stagnant“dead” space at the sharp “horned” ends of a crescent cross-sectionalshape near where the inner conduit 62 contacts the outer conduit 24, thecross-sectional area between the outer and inner conduits 24, 62 can beincreased to be slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of theinner conduit 62.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the coaxial ventilator 20 may also include acover 82 disposed above the flared upper end 42 of the outer conduit 24.Among other functions described in greater detail below, the cover 82occludes upper ends 42, 66 both of the outer conduit 24 and of the innerconduit 62 thereby preventing precipitation from entering thereinto.

The outer conduit 24 of the coaxial ventilator 20 is highly heatabsorbent and heat radiative such as being fabricated with a matt blackabsorptive and radiative surface. The inner conduit 62 is preferablymade of heat insulating material. A length of the coaxial ventilator 20passing through a warmer area of the building 22, such as the room 36 inFIG. 1, is warmed thereby heating air within a segment of theannularly-shaped space 12 that spans the room 36. As depicted in FIG. 1by small upwardly directed arrows in the annularly-shaped space 72 belowthe location 64 b, warmer air within the annularly-shaped space 72spanning the room 36 rises while cooler air within a segment of theinner conduit 62 spanning the room 36 descends. Above a zone in which atransition in temperature about the outer conduit 24 occurs, such asthat during nighttime surrounding the location 64 a in FIG. 1, lowertemperature atmosphere about the outer conduit 24 cools air within theannularly-shaped space 72 above the roof 32. In a length of the coaxialventilator 20 being cooled by the surrounded atmosphere, as depicted inFIG. 1 by small downwardly directed arrows within the annularly-shapedspace 72 above the location 64 b, cooler air descends while warmer airin the inner conduit 62 above the location 64 a rises.

At a location along the length of the coaxial ventilator 20 where risingwarmer air within the annularly-shaped space 72 meets descending coolerair within the annularly-shaped space 72 such as at the location 64 b,an exchange of air occurs between the annularly-shaped space 72 and theinner conduit 62 with:

-   -   1. cooler descending air flowing through the holes 63 piercing        the inner conduit 62 at the location 64 b into the inner conduit        62; and    -   2. warmer rising air flowing through the holes 63 piercing the        inner conduit 62 at the location 64 b into the inner conduit 62.        After flowing from the annularly-shaped space 72 into the inner        conduit 62, the descending cooler air continues descending        within the inner conduit 62 below the location 64 b while the        rising warmer air continues rising within the inner conduit 62        above the location 64 b. As depicted in FIG. 1, in this way        warmer air first rises from the room 46 in the building 22        initially via the annularly-shaped space 72 and subsequently via        the inner conduit 62 to exit the coaxial ventilator 20 at the        top thereof. Conversely, cooler air initially enters the        annularly-shaped space 72 at the flared upper end 42 of the        outer conduit 24 to flow downward before entering the room 46        via the inner conduit 62.

The locations 64 a, 64 b and 64 c where holes 63 pierce the innerconduit 62 promote formation of transition zones inside the coaxialventilator 20 where air flowing in the annularly-shaped space 72 mayenter into the inner conduit 62 and conversely. There exists a tendencyfor exchanges of air to occur between the annularly-shaped space 72 andthe inner conduit 62 where the coaxial ventilator 20 passes through theexterior of the building 22 such as at the roof 32. A tendency existsfor flow exchanges of air wherever a change in temperature occurs alongthe length of the coaxial ventilator 20, i.e. where the coaxialventilator 20 passes from one thermal environment to another thermalenvironment.

The cover 82 of the coaxial ventilator 20 may be advantageouslyconfigured for evaporatively cooling air entering the flared upper end42 of the outer conduit 24 by including at the bottom thereof, spaced adistance above the flared upper end 42 of the outer conduit 24, a waterfilled pan 84. The cover 82 preferably also includes a mesh 86 thatspans between peripheries of the pan 84 and a dish-shaped top lid 88.Preferably the lid 88 is opaque and reflective to reduce solar heating.The mesh 86 prevents insects from entering the space between the pan 84and the lid 88 while permitting atmosphere about the flared upper end 42of the outer conduit 24 to circulate therethrough. A depression 89 inthe lid 88, preferably at the center thereof, with a drip hole 90 formedtherethrough, best illustrated in FIGS. 13, 15, 17 and 20, permitscollecting rain water used for filling the pan 84.

In the illustration of FIG. 2, the building 22 and the coaxialventilator 20 are identical to those depicted in FIG. 1. The differencebetween FIGS. 2 and 1 are that the small arrows within theannularly-shaped space 72 and the inner conduit 62 differ from those inFIG. 1 since the small arrows in FIG. 2 depict the path of air as itflows during daytime. The principal difference between nighttime anddaytime airflows is that during daytime there is no exchange of airbetween the annularly-shaped space 72 and the inner conduit 62. Rather,during daytime warmer air rises along the entire length of theannularly-shaped space 72 while cooler air descends along the entirelength of the inner conduit 62.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure in which a pair of coaxial ventilators 20 a, 20 b inaccordance herewith ventilate two (2) different rooms 46 a, 46 b duringnighttime operation. Those elements depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 that arecommon to the coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 carry the samereference numeral distinguished by a prime (“′”) designation. Lowersegments of each of the coaxial ventilators 20 a, 20 b are juxtaposedwith opposite sides of the interior wall 52 a′. As illustrated in FIGS.4 and 5, above the roof 32′ the pair of coaxial ventilators 20 a, 20 bpreferably share a single cover 82′.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure located in a multi-story building 22″. Those elementsdepicted in FIG. 6 that are common to the coaxial ventilator 20 depictedin FIGS. 1-3 carry the same reference numeral distinguished by a doubleprime (“′”) designation. The building 22″ includes a basement 92 havinga heat source 94, i.e. a boiler or other warm appliance, locatedtherein. Radiation and thermal convection within the basement 92 warmsthe room 46″ through the floor 54″. As depicted in FIG. 6, a coaxialventilator 20″ extends from the basement 92 upward to a cooler upperroom 36″. Convection, of warmer air via the coaxial ventilator 20″between the basement 92 and the room 36″ warms the room 36″ while coolerair descends from the room 36″ to the basement 92.

FIG. 7 depicts a preferred bell-shaped flaring 98 of the lower end 44 ofthe outer conduit 24. Preferably, as stated previously the lower end 68of the inner conduit 62 is recessed slightly above the lower end 44 ofthe outer conduit 24. As depicted in FIG. 7, the bell-shaped flaring 98,essentially forming a funnel, begins slightly above the lower end 68 ofthe inner conduit 62 and above the floor 38 of the room 36. Thebell-shaped flaring 98 may be advantageously shaped to exploit theCoanda effect both for separating the upward flow of warmer air from thedownward flow of cooler air, and for drawing the rising upward flow froma larger horizontal area around the lower end 44 of the outer conduit24. The funnel formed by the preferred, bell-shaped flaring 98 at thelower end 44 reduces drag and turbulence. Formed in this way thebell-shaped flaring 98 establishes a transition zone having a widerspace for stabilizing the upward flow of warmer air and downward flow ofcooler air and interference between them.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate the coaxial ventilator 20 being usedadvantageously for power production such as generating electricity. Inthe illustration of FIG. 8, two (2) turbines 102 are located within thecoaxial ventilator 20 respectively near the top and bottom thereof. Theturbines 102 are located, in sections of the coaxial ventilator 20 inwhich the inner conduit 62 lacks holes 63 and where there is maximumflow and pressure differential to drive the turbines 102. While FIG. 8depicts only two (2) turbines 102, it is readily apparent that dependingupon construction details a single coaxial ventilator 20 may includemore or fewer than two (2) turbines 102.

As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, inner turbine blades 104 upon whichcooler air descending through the inner conduit 62 impinges preferablyslant in a direction opposite than outer turbine blades 106 upon whichhotter air rising through the annularly-shaped space 72 impinges.Configured in this way, both the descending cooler air and the risinghotter air urge the turbine 102 to rotate in the same direction.Preferably, to advantageously exploit the Coriolis effect the slantdirection of the inner turbine blades 104 and the outer turbine blades106 differs depending upon whether the turbine 102 is located in theNorthern Hemisphere or Southern Hemisphere. Advantageously, the slant ofthe inner turbine blades 104 and the outer turbine blades 106 may changeautomatically thereby adapting them for differing air flow pressure andvelocities occurring throughout the day.

Referring back to FIG. 8, during daylight hours solar heating of airwithin the room 46 and the outer conduit 24 provides energy for drivingthe turbines 102 by heating and expanding air therein. The air pressureincrease associated with solar heating and expansion enhances theupdraft in annularly-shaped space 72 between the outer conduit 24 andthe inner conduit 62 before the air escapes from the upper end 42. Notethat solar radiation impinging upon the outer conduit 24 heats airwithin the annularly-shaped space 72. Accordingly, for this particularapplication it is advantageous to increase the height of the coaxialventilator 20 that extends above the roof 32. If during night time theair flows within the coaxial ventilator 20 reverse the turbines 102correspondingly reverse rotation which still provides power forgenerating electricity.

Rotation of the turbine 102 by hotter air impinging upon the outerturbine blades 106 rotates the inner turbine blades 104 thereby drawingcooler air into the inner conduit 62 to thereby increase the naturaldescent of cooler air within the inner conduit 62 and compress airwithin the room 46. After air flow, within the coaxial ventilator 20becomes stable for instance during daytime, the increased flow ratesproduced by solar heating will be sufficient to overcome any slight backpressure due to increased air pressure within the room 46.

Daytime power production efficiency may be increased by including a nonreturn valve, not illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, at the lower end 68 of theinner conduit 62. Such a non return valve increases daytime efficienciesby preventing reverse flow through the inner conduit 62. However,including such a non return valve also prevents the flow directionswithin the coaxial ventilator 20 from reversing for producing powerduring the night.

While less preferred and not illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, the turbines 102may instead include two (2) independent sets of contra-rotating blades104, 106 both of which sets slant in the same direction. Because suchinner turbine blades 104 and outer turbine blades 106 rotate in oppositedirections, generating electricity with a single generator requirescoupling the blades 104, 106 together with a mechanical transmission.Alternatively, electricity might be generated using two separategenerators respectively coupled independently to the inner turbineblades 104 and to the outer turbine blades 106.

Alternatively, if electricity is supplied to the turbines 102 ratherthan being drawn therefrom, then the turbines 102 can be usedadvantageously for boosting air flow through the coaxial ventilator 20.

Another aspect of coaxial ventilator 20 is illustrated in FIG. 8A andfurther includes a weatherproof exhaust or circulation fan 300,positioned above the water pan 84, for increasing the evaporative heatloss rate from the water pan 84, and thereby increasing the coolingcapacity of the coaxial ventilator 20, by creating a wind current acrossthe water surface. This embodiment is particularly advantageous forincreasing evaporative heat loss on windless days and could lower thetemperature of the water in the water pan 84 by as much as, for example,an additional 8° F. (4° C.). The weatherproof exhaust fan 300 could bepowered by solar photovoltaic cells (not shown) mounted on the lid 88.Other methods for increasing the evaporative rate from the water pan 84include, but are not limited to, spraying the water from the water pan84 upwards into the air or sprayed upwards onto wetted fabric mats, orby natural water capillary wicking action upwards from the water pan 84onto fabric or mesh mats suspended above, and partially submerged into,the water pan 84, thereby increasing the evaporative surface area (seefor example, FIG. 13B, discussed hereinbelow). Small water pumps usedfor spraying the water out of the water pan 84 could be powered by solarphotovoltaic cells (not shown) mounted on the lid 88. The sprayed water,having been cooled by evaporative cooling, would then drip back downinto the water pan 84, thereby reducing the temperature of water in thewater pan 84.

An alternative embodiment coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIGS. 11,12, 13, 13A, 13B and 14 further includes a liquid-filled thermosyphoncooling tube 124 that depends beneath a pan 84 into an inner conduit 62of the coaxial ventilator 20. In the illustrations of FIGS. 11, 12, 13,13A, 13B and 14, the cooling tube 124 descends along a central axis ofthe coaxial ventilator 20 to be thereby surrounded by the inner conduit62. Disposed as depicted in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 13A, 13B and 14, thecooling tube 124 advantageously increases contact area for heat exchangecooling significantly between:

-   -   1. water evaporating from a pan 84 located at the top of the        coaxial ventilator 20; and    -   2. air within, the coaxial ventilator 20 about the liquid-filled        thermosyphon cooling tube 124.        In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 13A, 13B and 14,        the cooling tube 124 is filled with water 126 drawn from the pan        84. A drain, tap 128 located at the bottom of the cooling tube        124 permits drawing collected rainwater as a backup for        supplementary or emergency domestic water supply. The cooling        tube 124 is preferably made of copper or similarly high thermal        conductivity material, and maybe be finned or corrugated with        heat conducting surfaces to increase the surface area for heat        exchange, or alternatively be of semi-permeable surfaces to        increase the surface area for water evaporation cooling.

Adding a liquid-filled thermosyphon cooling tube 124 that includes aperforated inner return tube, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.6,014,968 and hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forthhere, to the coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 effectivelyelongates the heat exchange area of the evaporative cooling water-filledpan 84. Effectively elongating the heat exchange area of the evaporativecooling water-filled pan 84 in this way increases cooling capacity of acoaxial ventilator 20 without significantly increasing the overall sizeof the coaxial ventilator 20. Extending the heat exchange area of thecoaxial ventilator 20 by including the thermosyphon cooling tube 124therein increases heat exchange efficiency between air within thecoaxial ventilator 20 and evaporative cooling water-filled pan 84.

FIG. 13A illustrates the coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIG. 13having an alternative embodiment water filled thermosyphon cooling tube124. The cooling tube 124 depicted in FIG. 13A differs from the coolingtube 124 depicted in FIG. 13 by:

-   -   1. extending further downward beneath a lower end of the inner        conduit 62; and    -   2. having an enlarged lower end that forms a bulb tank 182.        As depicted in FIG. 13A, the bottom of the bulb tank 182 may        include projecting neat exchanging fins 184 for cooling        surrounding atmosphere. The bulb tank 182 advantageously        enlarges the cooling surface area and storage capacity of the        cooling tube 124, as well as facilitating direct radiative,        conductive and convective cooling into atmosphere surrounding        the bulb tank 182 such as to the room 46 depicted in FIG. 13A        similar to a radiative cooling ceiling panel. This increases the        storage capacity of the cooling tube 124, and betters the        coaxial ventilator 20 when used for water storage for the        building 22 perhaps thereby avoiding additional expense of a        separate water storage tank. When used for water storage, the        lower end of the bulb tank 182 includes a drain tap 186, either        alone or in addition to the drain tap 128. The bulb tank 182 as        depicted in FIG. 13A and described above can be adapted for use        in other configurations of the coaxial ventilator 20 disclosed        herein which include the cooling tube 124.

As also illustrated in the embodiment of the coaxial ventilator 20depicted in FIG. 13A, the pan 84 atop the coaxial ventilator 20 may alsoadvantageously include an inlet float valve 192 connected to a watermain supply not separately depicted in the figure. Attaching the inletfloat valve 192 to the pan 84 ensures that the pan 84 at all timesremains full of water, and cooler water flowing thereinto advantageouslyreduces the temperature of water in the pan 84. The embodiment of thecoaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIG. 13A also includes an outlet pipe196 that advantageously permits drawing warm water from the pan 84.

In hot climates during daytime, drawing water from the outlet pipe 196at the top of the pan 84 enables supplying preheated warm water:

-   -   1. for household use; or    -   2. to a household's water heater.        Moreover, cooler refill water entering the pan 84 through the        inlet float valve 192 lowers the temperature of water in the pan        84 thereby maintaining cooling efficiency of the water pan 84.        Otherwise, on hot afternoons excess heat collected in the water        pan 84 may not be dissipated quickly enough thru evaporation.        The presence of a warm water layer in the water pan 84 may        reduce evaporative cooling of the water due to mixing of water        cooled by evaporation sinking below the water's surface.

As depicted in FIG. 13A the embodiment of the coaxial ventilator 20shown there may also advantageously include, respectively, a heatexchanger coil 202 located in the pan 84, and a heat exchanger coil 206located in the bulb tank 182. At various times of the day asappropriate, the heat exchanger coils 202 and 206 are useful for warmingor cooling pressurized fluid flowing respectively through the heatexchanger coils 202 and 206. For example, during very hot afternoonspreheated warm water can be drawn from the pan 84 via the outlet pipe196 or thru the heat exchanger coil 202 in the pan 84 before beingheated further in a water heater not depicted in any of the figures.

Similarly, when excess cool water is present in the bulb tank 182 theheat exchanger coil 206 may be used for precooling a household airconditioner's refrigerant before it enters the conditioner's compressoror condenser not depicted in any of the figures. Within the coaxial.ventilator 20, water heated in this way rises through the cooling tube124 to the pan 84 where it may heat fluid flowing through the heatexchanger coil 202. Heat transferred in this way from the bulb tank 182to the pan 84 reduces energy consumed by a household's air conditionerand water heater.

FIG. 13B shows another aspect of the coaxial ventilator 20 depicted inFIG. 13A further including a vertical axis exhaust wind turbine 400, aweatherproof exhaust fan 402, and evaporative cooling wetted fabric matsor mesh 404. While both the wind turbine 400 and the exhaust fan 402accelerate evaporative airflows across the water pan 84 surface toincrease evaporative heat loss, the coaxial ventilator 20 could alsoinclude evaporative cooling wetted fabric mats or mesh 404 that aresuspended above and partially submersed in the water pan 84. The fabricmesh 404 is wetted by way of capillary wicking action, or spraying bywater pumps (not shown), thereby increasing the evaporative coolingsurface area and thus, increasing the evaporative cooling rate. The windturbine 400, the exhaust fan 402, and the water pumps could be poweredby photovoltaic cells and/or batteries (not shown) that can be mountedto either the lid 88 of the coaxial ventilator 20, to a top surface ofthe wind turbine 400, or positioned at another suitable location. Theexhaust fan 402 and the exhaust wind turbine 400 both function toaccelerate the evaporative air flows across the water surface,exhausting the humid air up and out of the water pan 84 area and drawingin fresh dry air, thereby increasing the evaporative cooling rate. Theblades of the exhaust wind turbine 400 are positioned at an angle facingoutwards, such that the blades catch the wind, causing the exhaust windturbine to rotate by the force of the wind. The blades may beaerodynamically formed such that the movement of the blades pushes airoutwards horizontally, creating a low pressure area behind the blades onthe inside of the exhaust wind turbine, drawing humid air out from abovethe water pan 84. The exhaust fan 402 and exhaust wind turbine 400 caninclude propeller and impeller blades, respectively, that are freelymovable when they are not powered, so that they will spin freely,relative to one another, and not impede operation of each other when oneis working and the other is not. Alternatively, the propeller blades ofthe exhaust fan 402 and the impeller blades of the exhaust wind turbine400 could be coupled together so that they both turn in unison, whenappropriately geared. Accordingly, when the impeller of the wind turbine400 and propeller of the exhaust fan 402 are coupled together, the solarphotovoltaic cells and/or batteries could be used to drive both theexhaust fan 402 as well as the exhaust wind turbine 400 while onlyproviding power to one of the wind turbine 400 or exhaust fan 402.Similarly, wind could drive both the exhaust wind turbine 400 as well asthe exhaust fan 402. It should be noted that the coaxial ventilator ofthe present embodiment need not include both the wind turbine 400 andthe exhaust fan 402, and if there is no wind turbine 400, the exhaustfan 402 could be operated in either an exhaust or intake mode.

The coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 13A and 14passively, cost effectively, and space efficiently uses evaporating rainwater to capture and store nighttime “coolness” for use during morningsand afternoons when it is most needed. During dry weather, any rainwater collected in the pan 84 can be augmented by connecting a floatvalve controlled piped water supply to the upper evaporative coolingwater-filled pan 84 (not illustrated in any of the figures). Whileevaporative cooling occurs continuously throughout an entire day,however temperatures are coolest at night, i.e., over 10 hours ofnighttime evaporative cooling on average, Consequently, there existsample time during that 10 hour interval to cool water in the pan 84 downto nighttime temperatures.

However, holding a sufficient quantity of water both for daytime coolingneeds, particularly to store nighttime cooling capacity, and forproviding sufficient evaporative heat exchange surface area, requires aquite large, heavy and unwieldy water-filled pan 84 that is locatedabove a building's roof. Frequently, without a large pan 84 there isinsufficient thermal storage capacity to extend nighttime “coolness”well into the afternoons, and insufficient heat exchange area totransfer heat into air descending down into the coaxial ventilator 20.

If a coaxial ventilator 20 is being used for supplying water to thebuilding 22, the drain tap 128 may connect to the cooling tube 124 atany height along the length of the cooling tube 124. As those skilled inthe art will recognize, connecting the drain tap 128 to the cooling tube124 higher along the cooling tube 124 nearer to the pan 84 reduces thewater pressure at the drain tap 128 in comparison with water pressure ata drain tap 128 connected to the cooling tube 124 lower along thecooling tube 124 nearer to the bulb tank 182. The location of the draintap 128 along the length of the cooling tube 124 also affects thetemperature of water drawn from the drain tap 128. During daytime, waterdrawn from a drain tap 128 connected to the cooling tube 124 higheralong the cooling tube 124 nearer to the pan 84 will, in general, bewarmer than water drawn from a drain tap 128 connected to the coolingtube 124 lower along the cooling tube 124 nearer to the bulb tank 182.During daytime, the warmest water may be drawn from a drain tap 128located nearest to the pan 84. In a hot climate, to preserve cold waterstored overnight undisturbed at the bottom of the bulb tank 182 forcooling the building 22, it is advantageous to avoid drawing water fromthe drain tap 186 but rather to draw water from a drain tap 128 locatedat an intermediate height along the cooling tube 124.

FIGS. 15 and 16 depict an alternative embodiment of the coaxialventilator 20 depicted in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 13A and 14. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16 the water-filled thermosyphoncooling tube 124 below the pan 84 is surrounded by a tube 132illustrated by a dashed line in those FIGS. The tube 132:

-   -   1. preferably has a circular cross-section;    -   2. preferably is made of copper or similarly high thermal        conductivity material to enhance heat exchange between liquids        filling the tube 132 and the cooling tube 124; and    -   3. may be flexible, finned or corrugated.        The tube 132 establishes an annularly-shaped space 134 around        the cooling tube 124 that is preferably filled with oil 138 or        other liquid having a specific heat greater than that of water.        In this way liquid filling the annularly-shaped space 134 being        in close thermal heat exchange contact with the cooling tube 124        increases thermal storage capacity of the coaxial ventilator 20.

As illustrated by dashed lines in FIGS. 15 and 16, the performance ofthe thermosyphon cooling tube coaxial ventilator 20 illustrated in thoseFIGS. can be further enhanced by extending the annularly-shaped space134 along the length of the thermosyphon cooling tube 124 upward andoutward beneath the pan 84. This extension of the tube 132 upward andoutward permits the liquid having a specific heat greater than that ofwater to contact the bottom of the pan 84.

In this way the thermosyphon cooling tube coaxial ventilator 20 depictedin FIGS. 15 and 16 having the double layer pan 84 and cooling tube 124filled on the inside with water 126 that is surrounded by and separatedfrom the liquid that fills the tube 132 and that has a specific heatgreater than that of water:

-   -   1. permits using a smaller diameter water-filled pan 84; and    -   2. further increases the cooling storage capacity of the coaxial        ventilator 20.        Furthermore, the thermosyphon cooling tube coaxial ventilator 20        depicted in FIGS. 15 and 16 simplifies suspending the coaxial        thermosyphon cooling tube coaxial ventilator 20 in comparison        with supporting an alternative coaxial ventilator 20 having a        larger roof top water-filled pan 84.

While the cooling tube preferably is a thermosyphon cooling tube 124,the inner return tube included in a thermosyphon cooling tube 124 may beomitted although this reduces cooling tube efficiency. If the returntube of the cooling tube 124 is omitted, then its outer tube must:

-   -   1. have a larger diameter than that of the cooling tube 124 if        the cooling tube is to achieve the same amount of heat transfer;        or    -   2. if of the same outer diameter as the cooling tube 124, have a        shorter length than that of the thermosyphon cooling tube 124        and can provide only a lesser amount of heat transfer due to        stagnation inefficiencies and inversion layer formation that        results from the tube's smaller diameter.

In yet another alternative embodiment of the coaxial ventilator 20depicted in FIG. 17 the lower portion of the covered pan 84 and thecooling tube 124 are filled with oil 138 rather than water. The coolingtube 124 and the pan 84 are first filled with oil 138 up toapproximately half the depth of the pan 84. The pan 84 above the oil isthen filled with:

-   -   1. rain water collected through the lid 88; or    -   2. water from a piped supply controlled by a float valve (not        illustrated in any of the figures).

In the configuration depicted in FIG. 17, the drain tap 128 is not usedfor drawing collected rainwater. Rather, the drain tap 128 at the bottomof the cooling tube 124 is now opened only when the oil has to bedrained off for servicing the cooling tube 124, or for changing of theoil, probably once every three or four years.

The oil chosen for use in the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG.17:

-   -   1. must be immiscible in water;    -   2. must be heavier than water;    -   3. should not evaporate at room temperatures;    -   4. should remain liquid and free flowing at room and ambient        temperatures; and    -   5. have a much higher specific heat capacity than water.        For such an oil, water in the pan 84 floating on the oil and        cooled by evaporation sinks and contacts the oil to thereby cool        the oil below.

Layering water for evaporation above oil, with oil extending down intothe thermosyphon cooling tube 124 including the inner return tube,increases the cooling capacity of the cooling tube 124 by:

-   -   1. using oil to store the “coolness” while    -   2. still permitting the water to evaporate and cool the oil        below.        And this is done without incurring additional structural cost of        a double walled pan 84 and/or a double walled cooling tube as        was shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, etc., or otherwise having to        enlarge the cooling tube and coaxial ventilator 20. For the        embodiments of the coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in FIGS. 15        through 17, material forming the cooling tube 124 and the        surrounding tube 132 must be impervious so the liquid therein        cannot evaporate or leak out.

The illustrations of FIGS. 18 and 19 depict yet another alternativeembodiment coaxial ventilator 20 which includes multiple liquid-filledcooling tubes 124. Similar to the cooling tube 124 depicted in FIGS. 11and 12, each of the cooling tubes 124 respectively descends downwardfrom the covered pan 84. However rather than descending along thecentral axis surrounded by the inner conduit 62, the multiple coolingtubes 124 depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 descend into an annularly-shapedspace 72 located between the inner conduit 62 and an outer conduit 24 ofthe coaxial ventilator 20. In the embodiment of the coaxial ventilator20 depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, the cooling tubes 124 may have the sameconfiguration as any of the various different types of cooling tubesthat are described in greater detail above and depicted in FIGS. 11through FIG. 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, the outer conduit 24 of the coaxialventilator 20 depicted in those figures is encircled by a pair ofoptional, hollow collar flanges 142 respectively located:

-   -   1. above the roof 32 of the building 22; and    -   2. at a ceiling 34 within the building 22 through which the        coaxial ventilator 20 passes. Encircling the outer conduit 24        with the collar flanges 142 establishes an open,        annularly-shaped space 144 between the outer conduit 24 and the        roof 32 and ceiling 34 respectively about the coaxial ventilator        20. The annularly-shaped spaces 144 facilitate ventilating        spaces within the building 22 both below and above each of the        collar flanges 142.

At the roof 32, attached to a hole through the roof 32, the collarflange 142 includes a collar flashing 152 that extends upward a distanceabove the roof 32 sufficient to impede rainwater from splashing from theroof 32 into the annularly-shaped space 144. Because the upper end ofthe collar flashing 152 is smaller in diameter than the pan 84, theupper opening of the collar flashing 152 about the outer conduit 24 isinherently somewhat shielded from the entry of rainwater. Where thecoaxial ventilator 20 penetrates the ceiling 34, the collar flange 142includes an open annular collar 156 that passes through the ceiling 34and extends a short distance above and below the ceiling 34.

The upper end of the collar flange 142 extending above the roof 32preferably includes flap shutters 162 that may be closed both to blockairflow through the collar flange 142 and the entry of rainwaterthereinto. Correspondingly, the collar flange 142 extending through theceiling 34 preferably includes dampeners 166 that may be rotated to aclosed position to block airflow through the collar flange 142.

Both collar flanges 142 respectively located at the roof 32 and at theceiling 34 when open provide additional ventilation that reduces anybuild up or stagnation of warm air about the coaxial ventilator 20 atthe roof 32 and the ceiling 34. Including the collar flanges 142 aboutthe coaxial ventilator 20 advantageously keeps the immediate vicinity ofthe coaxial ventilator 20 cooler thereby improving its efficiency intransferring cool air from the pan 84 to the room 36 below without theair becoming unduly heated.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, the coaxial ventilator 20 depicted in any ofthe various FIGS. may also include as set of dampeners 172 located atthe lower end of the coaxial ventilator 20. In climates which experienceboth heat in summer and cold in winter, both the shutters 162 and thedampeners 166 as well as the dampeners 172 are left open during summerso hot air can escape from the building 22, and closed in winter toconserve heat within the building 22.

FIG. 20A shows another aspect of the coaxial ventilator of FIG. 20,further including a thermoelectric cooling module 500. FIG. 20A showsanother method of filling the water pan 84 with water that can be usedin locations where is it difficult to bring a piped water supply to fillthe water pan 84. As shown in FIG. 20A, a thermoelectric Peltier coolingmodule or other cooling module 500 is located at the bottom of the lid88 to condense atmospheric water vapor into water droplets which thendrip into and fill water pan 84. Solar photovoltaic cells could be usedto provide power the cooling module 500 and could be mounted on the topsurface of lid 88, or positioned at another suitable location. Thephotovoltaic cells could also be used to charge batteries (not shown),thereby extending the power supply of the cooling module 500 into thenight, when solar power is no longer available. Additionally, a lowerend of the cooling module 500 could extend into and below the surface ofthe water in the pan 84 to provide additional cooling capacity bydirectly cooling the water pool itself.

Although the present invention has been described in terrors of thepresently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that suchdisclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted aslimiting. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure, various alterations, modifications, and/or alternativeapplications of the disclosure will, no doubt, be suggested to thoseskilled in the art after having read the preceding disclosure.Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted asencompassing all alterations, modifications, or alternative applicationsas fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A coaxial ventilator for exchanging atmosphere between parts of abuilding at differing heights, the coaxial ventilator comprising: anouter conduit positioned at a location of a building and having an upperend and a lower end; an inner conduit surrounded by the outer conduitand extending substantially along the entire length of the outer conduitwith an upper end and a lower end of the inner conduit being locatednear the upper end and lower end of the outer conduit; the outer conduitand the inner conduit being open to atmosphere surrounding the coaxialventilator only at the respective upper ends and lower ends thereof, theupper end of the outer conduit being locatable above a roof of thebuilding; a cover disposed above the upper end of the outer conduit thatoccludes the upper ends of both the inner and outer conduits, preventingprecipitation from entering thereinto, permitting atmosphere to enterthereinto, the cover including a pan spaced a distance above the upperend of the outer conduit, the pan being adapted for holding liquid, alid spaced a distance above the pan, and mesh that spans betweenperipheries of the pan and the lid; and a fan positioned above the waterpan for increasing the evaporative heat loss rate from the water pan. 2.The coaxial ventilator of claim 1, further comprising at least onethermosyphon cooling tube adapted to be tilled with a liquid, thecooling tube positioned beneath and in fluid communication with the panand extending into at least one of the inner and outer conduits, thecooling tube increasing thermal conductivity between the pan, the liquidwithin the pan, and the inner and outer conduits.
 3. The coaxialventilator of claim 2, further comprising a jacket tube disposed aroundthe cooling tube, the jacket tube and the cooling tube defining anannularly-shaped space therebetween, the annularly-shaped space adaptedto be filled with a liquid, thereby increasing the thermal storagecapacity of the coaxial ventilator.
 4. The coaxial ventilator of claim2, wherein the cooling tube is semi-permeable, thereby providing asurface area for evaporative cooling.
 5. The coaxial ventilator of claim2, further comprising at least one of a vertical axis exhaust windturbine and an exhaust fan.
 6. The coaxial ventilator of claim 5,further comprising an evaporative cooling mat suspended above andpartially submerged in the water pan.
 7. The coaxial ventilator of claim6, wherein the evaporative cooling mat is wetted by way of spraying bypumps.
 8. The coaxial ventilator of claim 2, further comprisingphotovoltaic cells for providing power to one or more of the verticalaxis exhaust wind turbine, exhaust fan, and pumps.
 9. The coaxialventilator of claim 2, further comprising a cooling module positioned atthe bottom of the lid and partially submergible in water held in the panwhen the pan is full, the cooling module condensing atmospheric watervapor into water droplets, thereby filling the water pan, and directlycooling the water in the pan when the pan is full.
 10. The coaxialventilator of claim 9, wherein the cooling module is a thermoelectriccooling module.
 11. A coaxial ventilator for exchanging atmospherebetween parts of a building at differing heights, the coaxial ventilatorcomprising: an outer conduit positioned at a location of a building andhaving an upper end and a lower end; an inner conduit surrounded by theouter conduit and extending substantially along the entire length of theouter conduit with an upper end and a lower end of the inner conduitbeing located near the upper end and lower end of the outer conduit, theinner conduit having at least one hole formed therethrough for allowingan exchange of air between the inner and outer conduits in at least onelocation along the length of the outer conduit where a transition intemperature about the outer conduit occurs; the outer conduit and theinner conduit being open to atmosphere surrounding the coaxialventilator only at the respective upper ends and lower ends thereof, theupper end of the outer conduit being locatable above a roof) of thebuilding; a cover disposed above the upper end of the outer conduit thatoccludes the upper ends of both the inner and outer conduits, preventingprecipitation from entering thereinto, permitting atmosphere to enterthereinto, the cover including a pan spaced a distance above the upperend of the outer conduit, the pan being adapted for holding liquid, alid spaced a distance above the pan, and mesh that spans betweenperipheries of the pan and the lid; and a fan positioned above the waterpan for increasing the evaporative heat loss rate from the water pan.12. The coaxial ventilator of claim 11, further comprising at least onethermosyphon cooling tube adapted to be filled with a liquid, thecooling tube positioned beneath and in fluid communication with the panand extending into at least one of the inner and outer conduits, thecooling tube increasing thermal conductivity between the pan, the liquidwithin the pan, and the inner and outer conduits.
 13. The coaxialventilator of claim 12, further comprising a jacket tube disposed aroundthe cooling tube, the jacket tube and the cooling tube defining anannularly-shaped space therebetween, the annularly-shaped space adaptedto be filled with a liquid, thereby increasing the thermal storagecapacity of the coaxial ventilator.
 14. The coaxial ventilator of claim12, wherein the cooling tube is semi-permeable, thereby providing asurface area for evaporative cooling.
 15. The coaxial ventilator ofclaim 12, further comprising at least one of a vertical axis exhaustwind turbine and an exhaust fan.
 16. The coaxial ventilator of claim 15,further comprising an evaporative cooling mat suspended above andpartially submerged in the water pan.
 17. The coaxial ventilator ofclaim 16, wherein the evaporative cooling mat is wetted by way ofspraying by pumps.
 18. The coaxial ventilator of claim 12, furthercomprising photovoltaic cells for providing power to one or more of thevertical axis exhaust wind turbine, exhaust fan, and pumps.
 19. Thecoaxial ventilator of claim 12, further comprising a cooling modulepositioned at the bottom of the lid and partially submergible in waterheld in the pan when the pan is full, the cooling module condensingatmospheric water vapor into water droplets, thereby filling the waterpan, and directly cooling the water in the pan when the pan is full. 20.The coaxial ventilator of claim 19, wherein the cooling module is athermoelectric cooling module.